Before these 556 acres became a MetroPark, this site was known as the Argonne Forest Park. Built in 1930 by Null Hodapp, the park started with a veterans club and a mid-way amusement park dedicated to a World War I military unit. 

Remnants of the past can be found along the Orange and Purple Trails. A low L-shaped wall, once part of the swimming pool, can still be seen; and remains of three street cars are hidden on the forest floor. A large cement square, which may have been part of the dance floor, also remains. 

Most of the figure-eight auto track is now under a lake built by the Park District in 1979, but a hiking trail still follows portions of the old track. The building that was once the veterans’ clubhouse still stands on the southeast corner of Germantown Pike and Frytown Road. Behind it, some of the buildings that were part of the carnival midway remain.